Sharps end capture device and method

Abstract

A sharps end capture device is disclosed for use in a system and method for the safe disposal and/or temporary storage of sharp-tipped implements including medical sharps, such as, syringe needles (epidural, spinal, blood collection, catheter, dialysis, intravenous, ophthalmic, hormonal pen, and radiologic). The device is useful to prevent injuries related to the use and disposal of sharp medical instruments, commonly known as, “sharps” or “sharps objects” is disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A sharps end capture device comprising:
 a circular tray comprising a substantially flat weighted base adapted to rest upon a supporting surface; 
 a base surface disposed on the weighted base; 
 an outer wall extending upward around the circumference of the base; 
 a lid; 
 an inner cavity defined by the base surface, an inner pick-up path wall extending vertically from the base surface at a first distance substantially equidistant from the outer wall and an outer pick-up path wall extending vertically from the base surface at a second distance substantially equidistant from the outer wall, where the inner pick-up path wall and the outer pick-up path wall define a pick-up path; 
 one or more access holes disposed in the outer edges of lid providing access to the pick-up path; 
 a power spring disposed in the inner cavity in a connective relationship at one end with an arbor disposed in the center of the floor of the base surface and at the other end with the lid; 
 a first fixed stop disposed in the pick-up path; 
 a second fixed stop extending downward substantially from the lid adjacent one of the access holes into the pick-up path; and 
 a plurality of sharp end capture members sequentially disposed in the pick-up path, wherein the access hole is disposed substantially in alignment with a sharp end capture member, wherein removal of a sharp end capture member from the pick-up path releases tension in the power spring causing the lid and the second fixed stop to rotate until rotation is stopped by contact of the second fixed stop with the next sequential sharp end capture member disposed in the pick-up path. 
 
     
     
       2. The sharps end capture device of  claim 1 , wherein each sharp end capture member comprises an open top, a closed bottom impermeable to the sharp end of a sharps object, and a core comprising an elastomeric material. 
     
     
       3. The sharps end capture device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of sharp end capture members are placed in the pick-up path between the first fixed stop and the second fixed stop. 
     
     
       4. The sharps end capture device of  claim 3 , wherein the sharps object comprises a syringe needle, an insulin pen, a hormone pen, a scalpel, or a suturing needle. 
     
     
       5. A method of capturing the contaminated end of a sharps object comprising:
 inserting the sharp end of a sharps object into an access hole disposed in the lid of a sharps end capture device; 
 tractively receiving the sharp end of the sharps object by a sharp end capture member aligned with the access hole; 
 encasing the sharp end of the sharps object by the core of the sharp end capture member; 
 removing the sharp end of the sharps object and the sharp end capture member in which the sharp end is encased from the sharps end capture device; 
 placing a cap upon the sharp end of the sharps object; and disposing the sharps object, 
 wherein the sharps end capture device comprises:
 a circular tray comprising a substantially flat weighted base adapted to rest upon a supporting surface; 
 a base surface disposed on the weighted base; 
 an outer wall extending upward around the circumference of the base; a lid; 
 an inner cavity defined by the base surface, an inner pick-up path wall extending vertically from the base surface and an outer pick-up path wall extending vertically from the base surface, where the inner pick-up path wall and the outer pick-up path wall define a pick-up path; 
 one or more access holes disposed in the outer edges of lid providing access to the pick-up path; 
 a power spring disposed in the inner cavity in a connective relationship at one end with an arbor disposed in the center of the floor of the base surface and at the other end with the lid; 
 a first fixed stop disposed in pick-up path; 
 a second fixed stop extending downward substantially from one of the access holes into the pick-up path; 
 a plurality of sharp end capture members sequentially disposed in pick-up path, wherein the access hole is disposed substantially in alignment with a sharp end capture member, wherein further removal of a sharp end capture member from the pick-up path releases tension in the power spring, causing the lid and thus the second fixed stop to rotate until rotation is stopped by contact of the second fixed stop with the next sequential sharp end capture member disposed in the pick-up path. 
 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein each sharp end capture member comprises an open top, a closed bottom impermeable to the sharp end of a sharps object, and a core comprising an elastomeric material.